From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prostitution is
illegal in most countries in Africa. Nevertheless, it is frequently common in
practice, driven by the widespread poverty in many sub-Saharan African countries[1], and is
one of the drivers for the prevalence of AIDS in Africa.[2] Social
breakdown caused by civil
war or economic collapse in several African
countries has caused further increases in the rate of prostitution
in those countries. For these reasons, and because of the relative
poverty of Africa relative to other parts of the world, some
African countries have also become destinations for sex tourism.

AIDS infection rates are particularly high among African sex
workers. Long distance truck drivers have been identified as a
group with the high-risk behaviour of sleeping with prostitutes and
a tendency to spread the infection along trade routes in the
region. Infection rates of up to 33% were observed in this group in
the late 1980s in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Transactional sexual relationships are
particularly common in sub-Saharan Africa, where they often involve
relationships between older men and younger women or girls. In many
cases, the woman in a transactional sexual relationship may remain
faithful to her boyfriend, while he may have multiple sexual
partners. In other cases, the woman may have multiple partners. In
both of these cases, transactional sex presents an increased risk
of HIV infection. As a result,
transactional sex is a factor involved in the spread of AIDS in Africa.

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Cameroon

Prostitution in Cameroon is illegal but attracts sex tourism from the
west especially for child
prostitution. The Cameroonian government has attempted to stop
this trade by agreeing to multi-laterial agreements such as
charters against sex tourism, like signing up with the Universal
Federation of Travels Agents Associations (UFTAA).[3]

Côte
d'Ivoire

In Côte
d'Ivoire prostitution itself (exchanging sex for money) is
legal, but associated activities such as soliciting, pandering or
running brothels are illegal.[4] The civil war
has left many women in need for wages, so some have resorted to
prostitution, as there is high unemployment.[5]

Ethiopia

Prostitution in Ethiopia is legal, but procuring (operating brothels, benefiting from
prostitution, etc.) is illegal according to Article 634 of the
Ethiopian Penal Code, as revised May 2005.[6] Many
feel it has contributed to the increased incidence of AIDS.[7]

Liberia

Prostitution is illegal in Liberia[8] Like
its neighbor, Sierra Leone, child prostitution has seen an increase
in the aftermath of a civil war.

Morocco

Prostitution is illegal in Morocco.[9] Morocco
is a one of the premier destinations for child sex
tourism in Africa.[10] The
country is considered a tier 2.[11] Many
children are vulnerable as adoption laws in Morocco are very rigid
and difficult which is made worse if the child is female due to the
preference for boys. Due to Morocco increasing reputation for
attracting foreign pedophiles Morocco has signed various
international treaties to deal with the problem.[12][13][14] Male
prostitution is known but that as stigmatised.[15]

Senegal

Prostitution in Senegal
is legal but the prostitutes must be 21 years of age or over and
must regularly attend centers administered by the Ministry of
Health for checkups, education, and medical treatment.[16] Some
critics contend this is the reason why Senegal has a relatively low
AIDS infection rate in comparison
with many African countries.[17][18]

Zimbabwe

Prostitution in Zimbabwe is illegal[19][20] but
since the increase of famine in the country prostitution has
thrived.[21][22]